BROWNSVILLE, TX – The Brownsville City Commission unanimously ratified the City’s Fiscal Year 2024 General Fund Budget of $121 million, along with Certificates of Obligation valued at $29.6 million.
According to the City Council, the First Public Notice of the budget provides a substantial decrease in the property tax rate for citizens, from .691919 in 2023 to .607987 in 2024 (cut of 8 cents per $100 valuation), making this the fourth consecutive reduction in the City’s tax rate and the largest in recent history.
This budget marks a milestone for the City and includes a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment increase for full-time civilian employees, a one-time salary of $1,315 for full-time civilian workers and a $658 salary for part-time civilian employees. In addition, the deployment includes a new 9/80 flexible work schedule.
In addition, $12.5 million of the Certificates of Obligation will be dedicated to complete streets, improvements and drainage repairs. One of the projects contemplates Old Highway 77, which will benefit significantly from the investment, with $4.5 million earmarked to complete the funding of the approximately $8 million reconstruction project.
The identified street projects will also address comprehensive design, reconstruction and repair efforts. The list includes in addition to Old Highway 77, Stagecoach Road, Wild Rose Lane, East 14th Street, Coffee Road and Coffee Port Road, as well as Old Alice Road.
“Our budget exemplifies an employee-first focus that rewards our dedicated workers with a 3.5% adjustment they have not received since 2014, while lowering the tax rate for our residents,” said Helen Ramirez, AICP, Brownsville City Manager.
“The tax rate movement is a game changer. It allows the City to be more competitive in attracting new businesses, is beneficial to existing residents as well as families looking to relocate to Brownsville,” said Michael Delmore, City Finance Director.
Brownsville’s economic growth continues to be robust, as detailed by the City Council, highlighting a sales tax increase of 112.5% over the past eight years, which translates to an annual growth rate of 14.1%.
Excess sales tax revenue in FY 2024 will be considered toward one-time projects and reinvestment in beautification, trails, parks and recreation, infrastructure, technology, and matching grant funds.
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